Arsene Wenger has said he would not waste his time if he did not believe Arsenal can beat AC Milan and go on to win the Champions League.

The Rossoneri currently lead Juventus at the top of Serie A, with Massimiliano Allegri's men looking to make up for last season's defeat at the same stage of the competition to Tottenham by dumping the Gunners out of Europe.

Arsenal go into Wednesday's first leg of their last 16 tie on the back of successive Barclays Premier League wins which have propelled them back up into the top four.

Confident mood: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger speaks during a press conference at the San Siro

Wenger, whose side recorded a famous 2-0 win on their last visit to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza against the then holders four seasons ago, maintains the Gunners mean business.

'If I would think we have no chance to win the game I would stay at home. I don't like to waste my time,' the Arsenal manager declared. 'I believe what makes football interesting is that you can win everywhere.

'We have shown we can win everywhere and I have full confidence in this team that we can do it.

All smiles: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain enjoys a laugh in training on Tuesday

'We will try to play our game. Milan are a good side. We think we are a good side. We will attack, they certainly will as well. So it should be a good game.'

Wenger accepts Arsenal are in a defining period of their campaign, with an FA Cup fifth round tie at Sunderland following on Sunday.

He continued: 'We are concentrated on every game we play. We do not choose the games.

'We are Arsenal Football Club and we just try to win the next game. Is it FA Cup, Champions League or Championship? I believe it is important we are strong everywhere.'

Wenger is expected to field an attacking side tomorrow, which will probably include livewire England Under 21 international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Gunners, boss, though, expressed concern over the playing surface, Milan not immune to the Arctic conditions which have swept across Europe.

Wenger said: 'I am a bit worried about the quality of the pitch. It doesn't look exceptional. Hopefully tomorrow it will be better.

Game for a laugh: Aaron Ramsey and Thierry Henry look relaxed in training ahead of the Gunners' trip to Milan

'It has been relaid down the flanks very recently and you know what it is like when you have just laid a pitch like that. It takes time to settle and become flat. At the moment, it isn't.'

Arsenal will have to shackle the threat of experienced Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is serving a domestic ban for a red card against Napoli.

The 30-year-old netted a brace against the Gunners at Emirates Stadium when he played for Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final two seasons ago.

Eye on the ball: Robin van Persie (right) warms up at London Colney

Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen will again look to shackle the 6ft 3in frontman, whom he went up against at close quarters as a youngster when at Ajax.

'When I was playing regularly, he had left already, but I had a lot of sessions with him when I was a young player,' said the 26-year-old Belgian international.

'I know his qualities, like everybody does. He is a strong and technical player, one of their main players, it is up to us as defenders to keep him quiet tomorrow.'

Wenger, meanwhile, revealed he was hopeful over Jack Wilshere's recovery as the England midfielder battles to be fully fit from a niggling ankle problem which has sidelined him all season.

'His scan was good but patience will be needed as we have to be cautious with him,' the Arsenal manager said. 'His stress fracture is going well, as quickly as it can heal, but nature has its paces as we have to respect that.

'We have to be cautious with him and not rush him back this time.

'Wenger added: 'I know you want him for England, but I hope he can play a couple of games for us before the end of the season.'